Limoges, France | 09-10 December 2024

The ENG4VOL project officially launched with its Kick-Off Meeting in Limoges, France, held on 9-10 December 2024 and coordinated by Pompiers de l’Urgence Internationale (PUI). The two-day transnational meeting brought together all project partners to initiate collaboration and align on the project’s objectives, activities, and expected results.

ENG4VOL is an Erasmus+ funded initiative aimed at enhancing volunteer engagement and retention in the civil protection sector across Europe, by building on practical experience, research, and shared expertise.

Meeting Objectives and Agenda

The Kick-Off Meeting focused on:

• Presenting the ENG4VOL project framework, objectives, and expected outcomes
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities within the consortium
• Planning key activities, including research on volunteer engagement, dissemination, and the development of the Lessons Learnt document
• Establishing coordination, communication, and monitoring mechanisms
• Key Takeaways

Over the two days, partners:

• Introduced their organisations and areas of expertise
• Discussed challenges and needs related to volunteer motivation and engagement in civil protection
• Agreed on a shared work plan, timelines, and cooperation methods
• Confirmed their commitment to a collaborative and results-oriented implementation

Partner Expertise and Contributions

The ENG4VOL consortium brings together complementary expertise in civil protection, search and rescue, volunteer engagement, training, and community resilience.

• Pompiers de l’Urgence Internationale (PUI) - France

An international humanitarian organisation and INSARAG (UN) classified team, PUI provides expertise in disaster response, volunteer-based rescue operations, training, and civil protection capacity-building, while leading project coordination and dissemination.

• MRSZ-KMCS - Hungarian Reformed Church Charity Service (Hungary)

MRSZ-KMCS contributes strong operational experience in search and rescue, supported by trained firefighter-volunteers and certified rescue dogs, reinforcing the project’s practical approach to volunteer engagement.

• Spanish School of Rescue and Detection with Dogs (ESDP) - Spain

A recognised NGO specialised in search and detection dogs, ESDP combines emergency response with training and research, supporting the development of best practices for volunteer engagement.

• Hellenic Rescue Team of Attica (HRTA) - Greece

With over 25 years of experience in land, water, and urban search and rescue, HRTA contributes expertise in volunteer mobilisation, emergency medical response, public training, and EU project dissemination.